propitiatory

USAGE SUMMARY

The word 'propitiatory' is a valid and usable word in written English.
It is an adjective that means designed to appease or conciliate, and is used to describe acts that are intended to achieve forgiveness or to maintain harmony between people. Example sentence: The family held a propitiatory ceremony to restore peace between the two warring factions.

✓ Grammatically correct

Encyclopedias

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

24 human-written examples

The intensification of propitiatory and other forms of worship, he believed, led to the exaltation of one infinite divine Being.

Encyclopedia Britannica

From the communion sacrifice Smith derived the expiatory or propitiatory forms of sacrifice, which he termed piaculum, and the gift sacrifice.

Encyclopedia Britannica

The point of such offerings is not that the dead get hungry and thirsty, nor are they merely propitiatory offerings.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Finally, some propitiatory sacrifices are clearly prophylactic, intended to avert possible misfortune and calamity, and as such they are really bribes offered to the gods.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Dedicatory texts in the widest sense are common, often in verse, such as that by Nikandre of Naxos on a 7th-century-bce statue of Artemis at Delos, a kind of propitiatory offering to the maiden goddess on the occasion of marriage.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Kagura dances dedicated to native deities and performed at the imperial court or in villages before local Shintō shrines are in essence a symbolic reenactment of the propitiatory dance that lured the sun goddess Amaterasu from the cave in ancient myth.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Situated on the bank of the sacred Sarasvati River (identified with Sarasvati, a Hindu goddess of learning and the arts), it is considered a premier place for performing propitiatory rites for ancestors (shraddha).

Encyclopedia Britannica

Human sacrifices, including eviscerations, decapitations, and trepanning, had a propitiatory role in securing abundance and victory.

Encyclopedia Britannica

A classic instance of such propitiatory sacrifice occurs in Homer's Iliad (xxiii:175 177): 12 young Trojans were slaughtered and burned on the funeral pyre of the Greek hero Patroclus.

Encyclopedia Britannica

They also included propitiatory rites performed to ward off evil such as droughts, epidemics, or hail during the coming year.

Encyclopedia Britannica

During the more public propitiatory rites, the sangha cooperated with the laity by invoking the merciful forces that watch over good order, and processions, fireworks, and various amusements created an atmosphere of hopefulness.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "propitiatory" when you want to emphasize an action specifically intended to regain favor or goodwill, often in a ritualistic or formal context.

Common error

Don't use "propitiatory" when you mean "prophylactic". "Propitiatory" means intended to appease, while "prophylactic" means intended to prevent disease or unwanted outcomes.

Linguistic Context

The adjective "propitiatory" primarily functions to describe something, typically an action, offering, or gesture, that is intended to appease or conciliate. Ludwig AI indicates that it conveys the intention to regain favor or goodwill.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

Encyclopedias

33%

News & Media

29%

Science

17%

Less common in

Formal & Business

8%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "propitiatory" is an adjective used to describe actions or offerings intended to appease or conciliate. Ludwig AI confirms its validity and proper usage in English. It commonly appears in encyclopedic and news contexts, often related to historical, religious, or cultural practices. While grammatically correct, it's important to differentiate it from similar-sounding words like "prophylactic". Remember to use "propitiatory" when the intent is to regain favor or goodwill through appeasement, as demonstrated in the example sentences provided by Ludwig.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

propitiative

A synonym, directly related to the act of propitiating.

conciliatory

Focuses on actions aimed at overcoming distrust or hostility.

appeasing

Highlights the act of pacifying someone by acceding to their demands.

expiatory

Emphasizes the atonement for sins or wrongdoings.

atoning

Refers to making amends or reparation for an offense or injury.

placatory

Indicates an effort to soothe or pacify someone who is angry or upset.

reconciliatory

Highlights actions that aim to restore friendly relations.

pacificatory

Focuses on bringing about peace or tranquility.

mollifying

Highlights the act of reducing someone's anger or anxiety.

soothing

Emphasizes the act of gently calming someone's feelings.

FAQs

How to use "propitiatory" in a sentence?

You can use "propitiatory" to describe actions, offerings, or gestures intended to appease or conciliate a higher power or someone who has been wronged. For example: "The tribe performed a "propitiatory sacrifice" to appease the gods".

What can I say instead of "propitiatory"?

You can use alternatives like "conciliatory", "appeasing", or "expiatory" depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

What is a "propitiatory" offering?

A "propitiatory" offering is something given or done to appease a deity or someone offended, often to seek forgiveness or favor. These offerings are intended to restore a positive relationship.

What is the difference between "propitiatory" and "reparative"?

"Propitiatory" refers specifically to actions intended to appease or regain favor, often in a religious or ritualistic context. "Reparative", on the other hand, refers to actions taken to repair damage or make amends for a wrong, not necessarily involving appeasement.